Plans Submitted for Regeneration Scheme

Proposals to transform the retailing heart of Newcastle-under-Lyme have taken another major step forward.

A planning application has now been submitted for retail units, student accommodation and parking on the Ryecroft area in the town centre.

The proposals show how the retail-led development of the former Sainsbury’s site and the adjoining Civic Offices will take shape in the multi-million pound project.

Public sector staff currently occupying the Civic Offices in Merrial Street, Newcastle – including the Borough Council, county council and Staffordshire Police - will begin to move out in autumn and into Castle House, the new hub to access public services at the bottom of Ironmarket.

There will also be much-needed student accommodation which will support the xpansion plans of the prestigious Keele University and help to better integrate the university campus with the town centre.

Richard Croft, Director at HDD, said: “We are now closer to making our plans a reality in Newcastle-under-Lyme and would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our pre-application consultation and helped to shape the final scheme. We hope to have a decision at planning committee later this year and be in a position to announce some exciting retailers who would like to be part of our development plans next year.”

Simon Hesketh, Director of Regeneration at U+I, added: “We are delighted to have submitted our planning application. Our investment complements existing facilities and will breathe fresh life into the heart of the town, creating new jobs and economic growth. We look forward to progressing the plans, so local people, students and visitors can enjoy the new facilities in the near future.”

Subject to planning permission, work on the Ryecroft initiative could get into full swing early in 2018.

Cllr. Elizabeth Shenton, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “This is another very welcome step forward for this important project.

“These are exciting times for the borough and this project will bring benefits in terms of jobs, improved shopping facilities and a significant amount of quality accommodation for university students.

”This initiative and its ‘sister’ project at Castle House will make a huge contribution to reshaping our town centre and in the longer term save Council Taxpayers large sums of money.”

Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “Our close co-operation with the Borough Council on this project and successful delivery of Castle House will save taxpayers’ money and gather many public services under one roof for our customers’ benefit, at the same time as presenting a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the town centre.”

The wider regeneration of the Ryecroft area – and the associated project at Castle House - will bring huge benefits which include saving Council Taxpayers more than £60 million in property running costs; centralising public sector partners under one roof to make access easier for residents; creating hundreds of new jobs; boosting retail in Newcastle town centre and providing additional student accommodation.